While similar to Yamaha’s DT125, the company’s DT175 was 50 better (in my best Nigel Tufnel from Spinal Tap voice). No, an easy way to tell them apart is that the DT175 was Chappy Red and the 125 was Sapphire Blue. This 1981 Yamaha DT175 can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in Kiel, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $3,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Lothar… of the Hill People for another great tip!
Yamaha’s DT series was a family of 32 (!) on/off bikes made for the trail and gettin’ to the trail. When you get into the 175 range, you can reasonably expect to drive a decent distance on back roads to get to the trails. Because it always comes up, this isn’t a touring bike or a road-only motorcycle meant to jump on the freeway and drive from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon at 75 mph. They’re meant to be good enough both on the street and on the trail.
This example looks like they just took it out of the crate. I don’t see a single flaw, nick, scratch, ding, or anything else wrong with this bike. It has 3,071 miles, so it’s been used a decent amount, but the owner sure took great care of it. The seller says it’s his father-in-law’s motorcycle, but he just isn’t using it enough. It could use tires, but I’m guessing it’s because of age rather than miles.
Yamaha made this monoshock version of the DT175 between 1978 and 1982, but its roots go back to the mid-1970s or earlier. This 1981 example really looks like a gem of a dual-sport motorcycle. Sadly, I believe the 1981 version was the last one available in the U.S. market due to it being a two-stroke, but I could be mistaken. Maybe one of you has owned a later version here?
Speaking of sweet two-stroke smoke, this engine is Yamaha’s 171-cc two-stroke single with just over 16 horsepower and is backed by a six-speed manual. I love the flat black engine; that’s a unique look. The seller says there is a clean title, and this one runs great. Have any of you owned a Yamaha 175?
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